COUNCIL MEMBERS APPROVE NEW UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP

Nonprofit university is part of Sweetwater push to offer higher education options

NATIONAL CITY 
National City council members have given their blessing to Sweetwater Union High School District to pursue an alternative education opportunity with Alliant International University following a presentation by Superintendent Ed Brand.

The concept of Alliant International University at Sweetwater is part of Brand’s vision to offer local and affordable education alternatives to graduating seniors, providing more access to college degrees and professional development.

After receiving approval from the school board May 13, Brand asked for the same consideration from council members to have National City Adult School house the satellite campus. The location was chosen for its access to the freeway and trolley.

“Your citizens are our students and alumni,” Brand said at a June 18 council meeting. “We’ve had a number of projects that have been very, very successful. We think that a university that’s going to be in South Bay should be in National City first.”

It’s feedback from parents and students that encouraged the district to pursue options with Southwestern College and San Diego State University, Brand said.

The partnership with Alliant, an accredited, nonprofit university based in Scripps Ranch, would offer four-year undergraduate degrees with majors in child development, psychology, criminal justice and business administration at a significantly reduced cost to students, based on financial need.

Brand said other benefits include tax revenue to the city via local restaurants and stores.

“We’ve had a tremendous success story with Compact for Success with San Diego State,” he said, adding this year 1,000 students were selected to attend the university.

Compact for Success is the district’s guaranteed admissions program to San Diego State University for students who meet specific performance expectations throughout high school.

Brand says Alliant at Sweetwater has the potential to be at least as successful as the SDSU program, which started with 120 students.

Enrollment for Alliant at Sweetwater is aimed at students with grade-point averages between 2.5 and 3.0 as well as students who didn’t get into the college of their choice.

“Our goal is that every kid that graduates from our district has the ability to enter a college of their choice and have a successful experience,” Brand said.

Multiple presentations have been planned for students within the next two months.

Brand also said that through Alliant, the opportunity is there to hire some district staff.

Alliant International University at Sweetwater is hoping to enroll at least 150 students this fall, however, the time frame is narrowing.

In order for classes to begin in September, a conditional use permit must be approved as soon as possible.

However, the application and other documents have yet to be submitted to the planning department, said City Manager Leslie Deese, making the earliest date the partnership could be considered by the city’s planning commission July 15, with council approval sometime in August.

Councilman Luis Natividad said that while he supports the opportunity for students, he was concerned that city staff and council members found out about it after it was approved by the school board.

“I think that a lot of times things happen and we’re not told ahead of time,” Councilman Luis Natividad said. “I think that’s one of the problems that happened this time.”

Brand said Natividad made a good point.

“I should have notified the city manager and let them know about our plans so I own that one,” he said.

National City Mayor Ron Morrison said the partnership will expand the city’s growing population for alternative education.

“This is just providing more opportunities and I think that’s great,” Morrison said. “I think the educational need concept has been greatly underestimated in the South Bay.”

The Alliant partnership is among several at Sweetwater. The school board voted in November 2012 to establish Sweetwater U under Brand’s goals and objectives for fiscal year 2012-13.

In January, juniors and seniors in the district were recruited to receive college credit through a new pilot program with Phoenix-based Grand Canyon University.